V OTLEY RFC SATURDAY, 15TH APRIL 2023 KO 15.00
OFFICIAL DIGITAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME
ISSUE 14
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THEWOODLANDS WELCOMETO
CLUB OFFICERS President
Anthony Hoskisson
Chairman Secretary Treasurer
Matt Filipo Gary Melling
TBA
BEER, GIN & FIZZ FESTIVAL 26TH-28TH MAY
Immediate Past President
Jeff Gould
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GENERAL COMMITEE Chairman of Rugby Steve Rigby Executive Rugby Consultant Mark Nelson M-J Chair Greg Mahon Commercial Mike Davies Volunteers Co-ordinator
U12S WELCOME HAWICK TO THE WOODLANDS BRIERSY’S & LONO’S PROGRAMME NOTES
Roger Westbrook
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Club Discipline
Craig Aikman
Safeguarding Lead
Caroline Melling
RUGBY MANAGEMENT Joint Head Coaches
14-15 FYLDE RUGBY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION UPDATE
Chris Briers & Alex Loney
1st XV Coach Aled Trenhaile Rugby Operations Manager Warren Atkinson Resources Manager Peter Conway Hawks Coach Phill Mills Saracens & Vandals
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BIG MATCH PREVIEW: FYLDE V OTLEY RFC THE FUTURE OF ENGLISH RUGBY … A 10 POINT “TO DO LIST“ BY MARK NELSON
Jay Harrison, Damian King
Chair – Mini-Juniors
Greg Mahon
Referee Liaison
Allan Townsend
4th Official Ian Cosh Match Day & Fixture Official Patrick Townsend
20-21 TODAY’S SQUADS
MEDICAL Hon Physicians Lead Therapist
TBA
Molly Hart-Ryan
EXCLUSIVE! SOCIAL MEDIA: WHO ARE THE LEADING NAT LEAGUE CLUBS! 1ST XV 2022-23
22-23
CLUB OFFICIALS Grounds & Maintenance Media, Comms & Archives
Patrick Townsend
Allan Foster
Gates
John Wilkinson
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STAFF Commercial & Mkting Mgr Sponsorship & Events Mgr
APPEARANCES AND SCORERS
Naomi Dempsey Hayley Salisbury
Bars & Catering Mgr
Heather Allen Daniel Koper
Fylde Rfc, Woodlands Memorial Ground, Blackpool Road, Lytham St Annes Fy8 4El, Lancashire Phone: 01253 734733 Email: info@fylderugby.co.uk
Chef
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BEER, GIN & FIZZ FESTIVAL
26th- 28th MAY
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PHILL MILLS IS NEW HAWKS COACH BREAKING: Phill Mills is the Hawks new Head Coach Fylde RFC is delighted to announce that Phill Mills has been appointed as Head Coach of Fylde Hawks for the 2022-23 season. He takes over from Dominic Moon who has stood down due to business commitments. Phill is an accomplished former Lancashire, England Counties and Fylde flanker/hooker who has also had spells at Preston Grasshoppers and Rossendale. At the age of 28 he was recently forced to retire prematurely through injury. He is also the Fylde Rugby Community Foundation Manager heading up the Foundation’s various and extremely successful rugby and sporting programmes in educational and adult communities along the Fylde Coast. He has many years experience of coaching young and older people in a wide variety of environments. Fylde’s Chairman of Rugby Steve Rigby said: “It was a sad day for the whole club and our County when Phill Mills followed medical advice and announced his retirement from rugby after a series of concussions made it a sensible decision. As a combative hard-running flanker, his energy around the park was very hard to replace, and the game temporarily lost a valuable asset.
major asset and couldn’t be happier to have him back involved directly in player development.” Phill Mills said: ““I am really looking forward to getting started with the new coaching position and preparing for the first games with the Hawks squad. I know from being a past player,
training and playing with the current group that they are an ambitious, talented and have a great team bond which goes a long way in developing a great team. I’m excited to be a part of this!” Fylde Hawks is the Club’s development route to the 1st XV and plays in the North West Independent Rugby Union League (NOWIRUL) Premier Division. An increasing number of young players are progressing through its ranks to 1st XV National League appearances.
Windmill Lodge is due to open in late Summer 2022, providing compassionate care in a warm, safe and secure environment.
The purpose-built lodge will also offer a Day Centre for those requiring extra support and companionship but are not ready to move into full-time residential care.
Providing compassionate care
However, Phill has been a great success in heading up the Fylde Rugby Community Foundation over the last few years, taking Rugby into several non-playing schools and spreading access to the game throughout the area. In addition, Walking and Wheelchair Rugby are now activities available through the Foundation under Phill’s leadership in his day time job. With last season’s Hawks Coach Dominic Moon leaving the Club in the summer due to work commitments, it was the perfect time to bring Phill’s coaching expertise to replace him, and for him to work with a talented squad. The Club knows Phill will be a Residential Care General Nursing Care Day Centre
Residential Dementia Care
Dementia Nursing Care
6 www.windmilllodge.co.uk 01253 800 000 Wilding’s Lane, Lytham St Annes, FY8 3RJ
BRIERSY’S & LONO’S & LONO’S PROGRAMME NOTES
Alex Loney writes: “A very warm welcome to Otley on what hopefully should be a fantastic day at the Woodlands for the final home match of the season for the 1st XV. Firstly on Otley - we know they are quality side and fully deserved their victory against us earlier in the season. Otley have a ‘whole court game’ where they are able to play through their set piece and running game whilst being tactically switched on. Otley had a good win last time out in a close contest vs Wharfdale, so sure confidence will be high. Today is an opportunity for the Fylde players to put right a previous defeat and finish off the season with an unbeaten home record. There is always a risk that towards the end of a season fatigue and energy drop. However, the players have been focussed and still working hard week to week to ensure performance levels remain high; no doubt that the fundamentals of our game and accuracy will need to be close to our best to achieve a win today. As this is the final programme notes of the season, it is fitting to acknowledge all the hard work of many people that support the 1st XV all season and to make sure home match days run smoothly. Many volunteers have contributed to a successful season and the playing group massively appreciate everything these valued people do. Thank you to all that have supported the team this season and hope you enjoy today’s match.”
Photo: left to right Chris Briers, Aled Trenhaile and Alex Loney.
ELSEWHERE IN NATIONAL TWO (NORTH) TODAY
HUDDERSFIELD
v
SHEFFIELD
15:00
SEDGLEY PARK
v
SHEFFIELD TIGERS
14:30
WHARFEDALE
v
CHESTER
15:00
ROTHERHAM T
v
PRESTON G
14:00
BLAYDON
v
HARROGATE
15:00
HULL IONIANS
v
TYNEDALE
15:00
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Good hands!
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MINI JUNIOR UPDATE: U12SWELCO Fylde U12s will shortly be bringing their 2022/23 season to a close with the Lancashire Cup tournament on 30th April with Fylde’s lads being seeded in the top pool alongside Hoppers, Bolton and Eccles, all seen as the top teams in Lancashire at this level following the course of this season, and the playing out of this competition over it. So, we thought ... “how better to prepare for this in playing the widely given top teams in Cumbria and Cheshire as well as hosting a number of our good friends and friendly rivals at The Woodlands for a U12s tournament.” the border, Hawick RFC, are visiting for the weekend as well. We visited Hawick last year on tour and we were treated like kings thus over to us this weekend to show Colin Telfer and his squad the Fylde hospitality (as long as the Hawick boys survive their trip on The Big One on Friday afternoon!). Curtain raiser games between the respective three clubs will be between 12.30-1.30pm before the first team game, then the players will welcome the first team of Fylde and Otley to the pitch at 3pm and act as ball boys, whilst the parents get to work at the bar!
Penrith U12 RFC were first up earlier in March, where a fast flowing and fast thinking game saw Fylde run out 70-10 winners. Eight different Fylde players crossed the white wash in that game but the score did not do the Penrith lads justice with them putting on the best kicking display seen this season. Fylde’s speed around the breakdown and a number of set plays though proved enough for the win and a great BBQ of Award winning meat put on by the Penrith team manager to round off a good day in northern Cumbria. Fast forward a month and Fylde U12s made another short trip, this time down to Sandbach where a bruising encounter was had on a no holds barred run out against Sandbach U12 RFC. They were unbeaten like ourselves however an impressive team display sealed a rip roaring 60-30 win with six different players crossing the line. Speed of play, disruption around the breakdown and a go hard or go home mentality saw the lads safely across the line. A full team display was put on with all the squad that travelled putting in a great shift. There is no “I” in “Team”…..#asone (we’ll just borrow this # from the SRU for a while). Definitely looking forward to the return game next season as certainly the most testing and competitive game we have had all this campaign. Both teams were credits to their clubs. So the sun is finally out and hopefully not too many Easter Eggs have been munched by the lads ready for a weekend of U12s rugby. This starts with curtain raiser games before the first team game with Otley. The green and gold army (Fleetwood) are coming down the coast and our good friends from north of
Hopefully not too many bumps and bruises, and parents with sore heads, as we move quickly onto Sunday 16th where we will be hosting the Fylde U12s tournament. Teams from Fylde, Hawick, Vale of Lune, Ormskirk, Stockport and Ramsey (Isle of Man) will be descending on The Woodlands with games kicking off at 12noon for an early afternoon tournament accompanied by I’m sure more beer, our Chairman Matt “Gordon Ramsey” Filipo, and our team medic Zoe Spencer on the BBQ and cake stall…..I’m sure other parents will get stuck in as well! All funds raised form the BBQ and cakes will go towards our tour next season. All are welcome to come down and watch some great rugby on display and enjoy a beer or two in the sun!
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Woodlands OME HAWICK RUFC JUNIORS & LOCAL CLUBS The U12s season has been a great run. 34 quiet and unassuming lads started the year and have motored on through the season developing both individually and as a squad with all playing their part throughout the season. Yes there has been some big try scoring performances, but the ball has got to get there first with the engine room working hard to deliver quick and turn over ball throughout to deliver #runitfylde displays. F v H H v F 1972-73 1982-83 10-7 13-12 1983-84 1984-85 15-6 18-36 30-3 Here are the results:
Mansfield Park
1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1990-91
22-3
28-18
All have played their part and all should be proud of what they have achieved to date. I’m sure the parents and all who have watch them develop think
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18-16
We are delighted to renew our friendship by welcoming their party of U’12 players to the Woodlands this weekend, a reciprocal visit to the Fylde squad which journeyed to Mansfield Park a year ago where they enjoyed great hospitality. We trust today’s party also have a splendid time in Lancashire.
similar and have enjoyed the games, maybe not the washing or some of the clattering tackles, but you do not get owt for nowt! Onwards to becoming Fylde U13s next season!!
FYLDE & HAWICK RFC : renewing acquaintances
Fylde and the famous Scottish border club Hawick RFC began senior fixtures in 1972-73. A decade passed but games between the two clubs restarted in 1982-83 and continued for another nine seasons until the advent of National League rugby became predominant. The first fixture was in ‘the Greens’ Centenary Season. We hope to mark their 150th anniversary with a Mini-Junior (and maybe seniors too) tour in 2023-24. Both teams included some fine players in these contests, including full internationals. Happy memories for everyone involved!
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FYLDE RUGBY COMMUNITY F Community Foundation provided
area for over 40 years and offers a range of pet healthcare services.
coaches to help develop the skills and techniques of the young players, and referees were on hand to ensure the games were played fairly and with maximum enjoyment. Additionally, a special recognition was given to one player who scored the best try of the festival. The medal for the ‘Best Try’ was awarded to the deserving recipient, who demonstrated excellent rugby skills and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Lanes Vets were delighted to support the festival and promote their commitment to the local community. Lanes Vets has been serving the local
For more information on The Fylde Rugby Community Foundation, visit their website at https:/ www.fylderugbyfoundation. com/ For more information on Lanes Vets, visit their website at https:/ lanesvets. com/ Contact: The Fylde Rugby Community Foundation Phone: 07534 321 418 Email: community@ fylderugbyfoundation.com Email: garstang@lanesvets.com
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FOUNDATION UPDATE Soroptimist (Fylde) Ltd Sponsors the
Streetwise Rugby Programme and Rugby Reading Champions programme Fylde!
Soroptimist (Fylde) Limited, a local grant- giving charity, is the proud sponsor of the Rugby Reading Champions programme, which supports the Fylde Rugby Community Foundation coaches delivering in five local Fylde based primary schools. The programme provides classroom sessions for 15 selected children per school, who are struggling with reading and literacy. The programme aims to associate reading with sport, specifically rugby union, through 60-minute reading sessions and 60-minute coaching and fun games. The Charity also sponsors the Streetwise Rugby Programme which includes Streetwise Walking rugby, which is a variant of rugby union that is played at a slower pace, with no running or tackling. The emphasis is on skill, technique, and teamwork, rather than speed and physicality. These are fun, enjoyable community sessions and open to any participants. The programme is led by experienced Community Rugby Coaches and supported by volunteers from the local community. The sessions are designed to be fun and social, with plenty of opportunities to meet new people and make new friends.
“We are grateful for Soroptimist (Fylde) Limited’s support in sponsoring the Streetwise Rugby Programme and Rugby Reading Champions Fylde” said Phill Mills, Foundation Manager for The Fylde Rugby Community Foundation. “We believe that these programmes will have a positive impact on participant’s physical and mental health, academic achievement, and overall well-being.” “Soroptimist (Fylde) Limited has been giving grants to worthwhile projects to benefit residents in the Fylde area for 10 years. These programmes are further excellent examples of initiatives which meet the charity’s objectives of improving education, health and well-being” said Rose Morris from Soroptimist (Fylde) Limited. For more information on The Fylde Rugby Community Foundation’s programmes or the Streetwise Rugby Programme and Rugby Reading Champions Fylde, please see our website www. fylderugbyfoundation.com
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SHEFFIELD TIGERS 30 FYLDE 33: Fylde overcame a difficult start to outscore a robust and physical Sheffield Tigers team and gain another fine away win. The entertainment and commitment levels were as high as the altitude on the chilly and exposed surroundings at Dore Moor as Fylde outscored the hosts by 5 tries to 3. Tom Grimes notched a hat-trick to add to scores by Connor Wilkinson and Dave Fairbrother. This was no mean feat given they lost their stand-out skipper Ben Gregory to injury and conceded a pushover try in the first minute. The bonus point win keeps the title race alive, although champions elect Sedgley Park’s bonus point win just down the road at the other Sheffield means they now just need one win from their last two games to secure the title, even if Fylde secure maximum points from their remaining three games. top by Matt Garrod was moved down the back line before play was switched back to the blind side putting Grimes clear. This time Grimes turned provider as he drew the last man and put Connor Wilkinson in under the posts, Smith’s conversion making it 19-10. This could and perhaps should have been the platform for Fylde to push on and keep The Tigers pinned deep, making them earn the hard yards uphill. However, Fylde were not able to find their ruthless streak and the hosts used the
The Tigers kicked off down the slope with the wind at their back and regained the ball immediately, launching a wave of strong carries by their hefty pack. An early heavy collision left Ben Gregory unable to continue and Sam Parker was straight off the bench and into the fray. The very next play saw the heavier Tigers pack shove Fylde over their line, number eight Tom Calladine dotted down, the metronomic boot of Mark Ireland, often a scourge of Fylde in the past, slotted the conversion and Fylde were 7-0 down, down a skipper and the vociferous Tigers crowd sensed blood. Fylde gathered their collective breath and forced their way up the slope and into the game. To say Dave Fairbrother relishes a physical challenge is an understatement of the highest order, and the now promoted vice-captain set out to lead his troops with an inspirational all-action display that motivated them all to follow suit. On 20 minutes it looked for all money as if Fairbrother had the ball grounded on the line in a mass of players only for it to be deemed just short. It mattered not as the ball was recycled to Tom Grimes who chipped through, re-gathered and touched down to start his excellent day off. Greg Smith missed his only kick at goal of the day, but Fylde were back in at 7-5 down. Fylde were now playing sensible, accurate uphill rugby to control possession and force penalties. On 28 minutes Fairbrother was not to be denied a second time as he rampaged through three tacklers to force his way over wide out, Smith’s excellent conversion giving Fylde the lead at 12-7. The next 10 minutes saw both teams gain penalties and territory without being to convert pressure into points, until Ireland knocked over a penalty right on the hooter to make it 12-10 to Fylde at the break. The second stanza started perfectly for Fylde as they increased their lead on 41 minutes. A line out take off the
ball they got well. Fylde’s tackle defence in the face of the muscular running was good but they were giving too many penalties away for offside or breakdown offences. Ireland’s line kicking is as good as his goal kicking and with Sheffield’s scrum and line out working well any set-piece ball they had in Fylde’s 22 was a real danger. The pressure of having to defend too often too deep started to tell on Fylde and Ireland chipped away at the lead with penalties on 45 and 51 minutes bringing the score back to 19-16. Fylde missed a good chance to score when another break by Grimes broke down due to a poor pass by a supporting player. Things were getting nervy now and that anxiety increased further when a series of penalties allowed Sheffield to move up the pitch and set up the catch and drive line out on 63 minutes. This they rumbled over without fuss and Ireland’s conversion gave them the lead again at 23-19. Crucially, and fortunately for Fylde, one of the Tigers players had celebrated the try in what the officials saw as an unnecessarily excessive manner towards one of the Fylde defenders, to the point that Fylde were awarded a penalty at the re-start. A rare call, and a brave one given it was against the home team. It was a celebration the Tigers were to rue. Smith nailed the penalty kick to touch 10 yards out for a line out. Olli Parkinson was interfered with in the
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: REPORTBYSIMONTAYLOR
trick man does not get man of the match. However, for taking over the captaincy so early, grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck, playing like a man possessed and inspiring everyone else to do the same, Dave Fairbrother deservedly added yet another MoM to the long list he has already. Sometimes you might not want to give it to him so you can share the love, but you just have to! Having said that, once again it was a collective effort with the whole squad performing admirably, and it is only editorial word count restraints that prevents me from giving every player a shout out. In this game, Sam Parker’s admirable 79 minute substitute stint, a bullocking run by Corey Bowker, big hits by Toby Harrison and Tom Carleton, and another assured display by Henry Higginson are worthy of mention, as well as the pack’s efforts in coping with a much heavier home eight in the scrum after the early setback with the pushover try. Coach Alex Loney’s comments were: “Overall we are very happy with the result. Dore Moor is a tough place to get a win at, especially after the early disruption of losing Ben and conceding a try. I thought the lads were fantastic to get their mindset right to cope with all that and manged the first half well uphill, deserving our tries and the lead. In the second half we were just not quite ruthless enough in managing field position, and we allowed Sheffield to keep chipping away at the lead then get their noses in front. We then showed our qualities to get two more good tries and manage the game through to a great win. Credit to Sheffield they are a good team with a big pack and threats all over the pitch, so we are very happy with the win. We now have a week off then a massive game at home to Otley.”
air but still took the catch and with the penalty advantage being played, Fylde ran a move in the backs, dummy runners creating confusion which allowed Tom Grimes to come in from the blind side wing and slice through for his second try. Smith’s conversion gave Fylde the lead back immediately at 26-23, had Sheffield been able to frustrate Fylde and keep the lead for 5 to 10 minutes things may have been very different. Fylde were now able to relax a little and upped their collective effort. Debutant James Robinson had come off the bench and he made a key contribution with a superb jackal turnover penalty win on 74 minutes, and Smith kicked deep to touch again. The line out was overthrown but Matt Ashcroft did well to tidy up at the back, Fairbrother made the bust up the middle and span the ball for Grimes to score his hat-trick try wide out. Smith slotted a lovely conversion and Fylde finally had good breathing space at 33-23. Credit to Sheffield they rose to the challenge again and dominated the last 5 minutes. Ireland narrowly missed a long-range penalty attempt, but another penalty allowed them to set up another line out catch and drive. This one was driven over from 10 yards out with Will Bennett the last man up, Ireland knocking over the conversion to narrow the gap to 33-30. Fortunately for Fylde time had expired and they had edged a fierce contest, the Tigers fully deserving their losing bonus point. Tom Grimes has noticeably upped his levels in attack and defence over the last few games and it is rare a hat-
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BIG MATCH
It is 94 years since Fylde and Otley first played each other, meeting twice in the 1928-29 season. On 27th October 1928 Otley won 18-9 at Cross Green but Fylde gained revenge, 8-6, at the Woodlands on 1st April 1929. This became a regular fixture thereafter, twice a season until 1968-69 with the fixture at the Woodlands scheduled to coincide with Blackpool’s Illuminations. From 1969-70 the two clubs played each other once a season, alternating home and away. The onset of league rugby broke this pattern in 1990. By this time, they had played each other 87 times in club matches, with Fylde winning 56, drawing 6 and Otley winning 25. The clubs met in league competition for the first time on 25th April 1992 at the Woodlands, the final day of the 1991- 2 season. This was particularly important for Fylde who needed to win to secure promotion, along with Richmond, to National Division Two. It was a very tense occasion and Fylde just came out on top. It was in the 1999-2000 season when Otley were on their way upwards through the leagues, whilst Fylde
season, winning 15 and losing 7 games. One of their victories was a 28-27 triumph against Fylde at their famous old Cross Green ground.
Otley’s Head Coach is PE teacher Kyle Dench, a well known former centre at Otley, Harrogate and a regular Yorkshire County cap. They have a strong squad, with a mix of experienced campaigners, also with Yorkshire County honours, and young talent. In the game between the two clubs in February, their powerful pack caused particular problems for Fylde in the tight and loose exchanges. Fylde’s scrummaging and lineout play will have to be accurate if they are to provide their dangerous backline with sufficient possession to test the visitors’ defence. The Otley pack features props Jason Moss, Billy Nicholls and Ethan Thiart, hooker Luke Cole, highly experienced locks Simon Willett and Brett Mitchell, and a backrow including accomplished no 8 Adam Malthouse, Ben Wadington and Sam Hodge. But Otley are far from a one trick forwards-dominated team. They showed in the February game that they can attack wide with menace through a dangerous backline featuring Callum Irving, Sam Taylor, Clark Wells and brothers Charles and Elliot Morgan. Fly-half is usually Eddie Crossland and he’s most often partnered by scrum-half and goal kicker Joe Rowntree but the latter has missed recent matches. Leading points scorer is Rowntree with 90, with wing Clark Wells heading the try count with 11. Our visitors are not only one of the oldest clubs in England but is almost certainly the only club in the world that can count a Nobel Physics Prize winning scientist as a former player! Albert Fert, together with German scientist Peter Gruen-berg, have shared the award for their independent discoveries, in the 1980s, of a process allowing huge amounts of data to be squeezed into ever-smaller spaces - now used by billions of people on their computers and digital music players. The scientist, born in 1938, actually played in the back row for Otley RUFC in the mid 1970s, mostly in the second team. He was in West Yorkshire at the time, working with professors Jim Morgan and Denis Greig on the conduction of electricity by magnetic metals at the University of Leeds.
were slipping down. By the 2003-4 season, Otley were competing at level 2, Fylde at level 4. Seven seasons later, Fylde were promoted back to level 3 whilst Otley were relegated to level 4. So once again, the clubs avoided each other in league action. A gap of 18 years separated fixtures between the clubs until they met again in 2018-19. For Otley, life in National Two (North) since 2010 has been rather up and down. They finished 5th in 2012-13 but dropped to mid-table for the rest of the decade until a poor 2019-20 campaign saw them slip down to the regional divisions at level 5. But there was an immediate improvement and they stormed to the championship of North Premier last season and a return to National Two for 2022-23 – and it has been a successful campaign as they’ve been in the top four in the division for most of the
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NELSON’S COLUMN
The Future of English Rugby … a 10 point “to do list“ and a 3 minute read. [Mark Nelson writes in a personal capacity.]
Where does the game in England go from here? That surely must be the biggest question on the agenda at HQ and as Joe Walsh sang “The future is wide open“. It really needs a visionary approach to get things back on track and give a sense of purpose at all levels. This season has seen the demise of two Premiership Clubs, devastating falling player numbers in the community game, England being ‘also rans’ in the 6 Nations, a looming exodus of players to lucrative contracts in France, the rise and rise of French and Irish Rugby, the abject failure of the Papa Johns Pizza Cup, “High Tackle Gate“ causing a peasants’ revolt, a Championship that is hard to fathom as to what purpose it serves, the disrespect towards County Rugby in terms of credence and funding, English Clubs struggling in Europe, the dementia crisis, low referee and AR recruitment …… have I missed anything? .... Probably. Anyone can carp from the sidelines but there is so much going on that it just seems that the game is fire fighting one crisis after another. So instead of whinging here is a list of 10 suggestions that I have to offer a way out of the mire. 1. Decentralise the RFU and re empower the running of the game at regional, county and local level. 2. Re introduce the Youth Development Officer Programme across the Country linked to Counties, local authorities and Club Clusters, working with Schools and Education Centres. 3. Link each Academy to a University rather than cede control to Premiership Clubs. 4. Focus on Male Colts Rugby, concentrating on transition from youth to adult rugby in Clubs. 5. Create Central Contracts for England Players and RFU take control back off the Elite game from the cartel of the Premiership. 6. Restructure and properly finance Club Rugby below the Premiership based on input from practitioners on the ground, not theorists at Twickenham. 7. Give representative rugby a proper stage and provide aspirational players an opportunity to showcase their abilities on a County stage. 8. Reinstate England Counties XV. 9. Engage with key personnel at Clubs, schools and counties at all levels and devise strategies based on what they need on the ground as opposed to generic processes. The same applies to Coaching and Referee development. 10. Properly fund league rugby at level 2 down, based on travel, resources, player welfare, facilities etc. The overriding factor is that the RFU recognise it exists to service “The Game“ ie WE are the RFU .It does not exist to service the careers of its employees. There are very talented people who work at the RFU. I’ve met and worked with a good number of them, and Bill Sweeney is a true rugby man. This aligned to the elected Council Members should give us the foundations to create a brave new world for English rugby. The Key is for us all to say “Its Our Game“ so lets have a game in England that we all contribute towards, get behind and be proud of. Our Clubs, Schools, Counties, Universities are full of incredibly dedicated and knowledgeable people who make the game happen week in, week out. Let’s get them on board with the decision making processes and counsel the professional staff as to how the game goes forward, ie the RFU employees become facilitators rather than have autonomy as to policy. One thing is for certain. We cannot keep going as we are and hope things get better on their own. Positive action is required and that begins with positive engagement, not surveys, or groovy sounding departments and sound bites on Twitter and Podcasts. It is not all doom and gloom. As I say, there are talented people at the RFU but by the same token there is a legion of talented people who are practitioners of the game at the coal face. Between us both we should be able to sort out a bright future …. surely?
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Are your financ www.ludco.co.uk
COACHES: CHRIS BRIERS, ALED TRENHAILE AND ALEX LONEY FORWARDS Matt Ashcroft (prop)
Zack Barrow (prop) Patreece Bell (prop) Corey Bowker (prop) David Fairbrother (no 8) Matt Garrod (lock) Ben Gregory (hooker) Toby Harrison (backrow) Joe Higgins (prop) Henry Higginson (backrow) Sam Parker (hooker)
Ben O'Ryan (backrow) Olli Parkinson (lock)
James Robinson (backrow) Tristan Woodman (backrow) BACKS Tom Carleton (fullback) Alex Clayton (flyhalf) Jordan Dorrington (wing/15) Tom Forster (centre) Tom Grimes (wing) Adam Lanigan (scrum-half) Cole Potts (scrum-half) Scott Rawlings (centre) Greg Smith (flyhalf) Ben Turner (wing) Connor Wilkinson (centre)
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HEAD COACH:
Callum Irvine Duncan Darling Charles Morgan Gavin Stead Elliot Morgan Eddie Crossland
15 14 13 12
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Billy Nicholls Luke Cole Jason Moss
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Ryan Gibson Ethan Thiart Reece Ward Alex Johnson
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www. fylderugby .co.uk
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SOCIALMEDIA: WHICHARETHE
There are 56 National League Rugby clubs distributed between four divisions – National One, National Two (North), National Two (West) & National Two (East). Over the last decade or so, these clubs have used the emerging digital social media to promote their rugby fortunes, activities and image – locally, regionally and nationally. The principal, but by no means exclusive, media channels used are Twitter and Facebook. On Friday, 31st March we trawled all the pages of the constituent clubs to ascertain the number of followers of each. The Twitter follower numbers appear quite precise, the Facebook ones much more approximate, apparently rounded up to the nearest hundred. The following table must not be taken as gospel but does give an idea of the size of the audiences built by these clubs and served with a mix of news, scores, features and community outreach. The impact of social media can be measured in part by the ‘reach’ that each club has built. The clear leader by some margin is National One’s
Plymouth Albion with over 20k followers across the two platforms. In 2nd place
is National Two (North)’s Preston Grasshoppers. These are chased by a clutch of clubs including Darlington Mowden Park, Fylde and Birmingham Moseley. Perhaps one of the most important measures not presented in the table is the ‘engagement’ of followers – that is the % of followers who interact with the tweet or Facebook posting. This data can be mined but with difficulty. Another important metric is the number of postings made by the clubs on Twitter and Facebook. It is clear that although all 56 clubs have a presence on both platforms, some favour one more than the other. The number of tweets are shown in the table but the FB postings are harder to establish.
TOTAL
No of tweets
Followers
Followers
Followers (C+F)
Plymouth Albion
N1
10,200
22,597 24,908 23,242 34,132 20,117 11,012 17,164 13,733 11,004 11,292 12,000
10,000
20,200 15,779 12,883 12,432 12,272 11,304 10,423
Preston Grasshoppers N2N
9,179 5,683 7,832 7,372 5,504 8,823 6,266 3,450 6,697 5,836 4,364 8,583 6,353 4,455 6,255 5,696
6,600 7,200 4,600 4,900 5,800 1,600 3,300 6,100 2,800 3,300 4,700
DMP Fylde
N1
N2N
B'ham Moseley
N1
Redruth
N2W N2W
Loughborough S
Esher
N1
9,566 9,550 9,497 9,136 9,064 9,051 8,753 8,655 8,555 8,196
Luctonians Canterbury Cinderford
N2W N2E
N1 N1
Taunton
9,402
Rotherham Titans
N2N
56,564 15,588
G - 468 mem
Sale FC
N1
2,400 4,200 2,300 2,500
Stourbridge Rosslyn Park
N2W
5,049
N1 N1
16,689 30,892
Cambridge
22
E LEADING NATIONAL LEAGUE CLUBS?
Hinckley Tynedale Chinnor
N2W N2N
3,287 4,255 5,552 4,451 5,196 5,402 4,663 5,249 2,721 4,304 2,343 4,036 4,221 3,852 5,188 2,617 4,222 3,276 3,590 3,326 3,752 3,524 3,561 3,461 2,565 3,309 2,703 2,000 2,001 2,414 2,514 2,966 2,870 1,951
6,373 6,667
4,500 3,300 2,000 3,000 2,200 1,900 2,600 2,000 4,400 2,700 4,600 2,900 2,500 2,800
7,787 7,555 7,552 7,451 7,396 7,302 7,263 7,249 7,121 7,004 6,943 6,936 6,721 6,652 6,588 6,417 6,322 6,176 6,090 5,926 5,652 5,424 5,261 5,061 4,865 4,609 4,603 4,600 4,301 4,214 4,014 3,966 3,770 3,751 2,907 2,581 2,283 2,193 2,187
N1
25,734 10,401
Exeter Univ
N2W N2W N2W N2E
Dings Crusaders
9,619 8,157
Clifton Henley
13,954 20,595
Bishops Stortford
N1
Barnstaple
N2W N2E N2E
3,033
Bury St Edmunds
18,336
Worthing
4,182
Rams
N1
12,850
Harrogate
N2N N2N N2N N2N N2N N2E N2E N2E N2N N2E N2N N2W N2N N2E N2E N2E N2E N2W N2E
6,617 3,809 9,775 7,209 8,684 8,205 8,497
Blaydon
Wharfedale
G – 1,400 mem
Chester
3,800 2,100 2,900 2,500 2,600 1,900 1,900 1,700 1,600 2,300 1,300 1,900 2,600 2,300 1,800 1,500 1,000
Sedgley Park Guernsey Blackheath
Tonbridge Juddians
13,176
Hull Ionians
6,239
Dorking
12,191 10,384
Sheffield Tigers Old Redcliffians
2,769 8,347 6,707 4,210 5,146 3,590 1,084 6,860 3,795 3,964 2,142
Huddersfield Sevenoaks Old Albanian
Rochford Hundred
Westcliffe
Newport (Salop) North Walsham
Hull RUFC
N1
Sheffield RUFC Leicester Lions
N2N N2W N2W N2E N2W N2N
900
1,800 2,300 1,800 1,200
Hornets Barnes
607 781
321 341
Bournville
1,083 1,093 1,887
3,089 1,619 4,078
Otley
G -1,100 mem
Leeds Tykes
N1
300
G=FB Group (no of members)
www. fylderugby .co.uk
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GOODBYE &GOODLUCKELLIOT! In August 2021 a young UCLan 2nd year
BEN TREND MEMORIAL WALK, 15th Apr 2023 After a few years’ absence
student sports journalist, Elliot Burrow, linked up with the
due to covid etc we are starting the walk again this year, so dig those walking shoes out and start stretching off! It will be the usual format:
Club to write home match
reports for our digital media, the Blackpool Gazette, LSA Express as well as The Rugby Paper. From the very beginning he impressed us with his diligence, discipline, writing style and understanding of rugby in particular and sport in general. The product of Millom School in Cumbria, Elliot has had a demanding routine of university, Fylde RFC duties and rugby league officiating. He referees and is on the line for amateur competitions in the North of England. He not only has written some 30 Fylde match reports over two seasons but also impressive feature pieces on, for instance, the vexed issue of concussion in rugby and the life of a profoundly deaf rugby player, Fylde’s Peter Altham, which has gathered traction in a number of outlets including the Rugby Paper. Plus he is a very personable young man who is popular throughout the Club. Everyone at the Woodlands wishes him well as he seeks his first fulltime journalism role. Good luck and many thanks Elliot!
Along the promenade from Blackpool RUFC to Fylde RUFC, the two clubs Ben loved to play for, tea/coffee at the start and a bite to eat at the finish. You don’t have to do all the walk, you can join us en route if you wish (details below). £10.00p per person, either pay on the day or go to: justgiving.com then search Ben Trend Memorial Walk 2023. If you can’t do the walk but would like to donate please do so via the just giving page as above. Please let me know if you are joining us so we have an idea of numbers either by facebook or ring me: 07879 428707. Thank you for taking the time to read this, The Trends
Details (all times are approximate): 08.45: start from Blackpool RUFC,
Fleetwood Road, FY5 1RN (next to the golf driving range) - tea and coffee available from 08.00 09.30: Gynn Square 10.00: Blackpool Lifeboat Station 11.00: Starr Gate 11.45: St Annes Pier 12.45: Fylde Rugby Club, Blackpool Road, Ansdell, FY8 4EL
25
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PHILL MILLS HOOKER ZACH BARROW PROP
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26
JAMES ROBINSON BACKROW
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CHRIS BIERS JOINT HEAD COACH
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27
FYLDEWELCOME NEWSPONSORSLYTHAMGIN Fylde RFC are pleased to announce Lytham Gin, part of Sandgrown Spirits, have joined us as new sponsors for our Bars!
“Lytham Gin is committed to supporting the community through sport and the arts as these activities play a vital role in shaping and building our local area. We believe that rugby plays an important part in bringing people together. And what better way to do that, than by enjoying a locally produced gin and tonic whilst watching a match! We really hope that the artwork we have produced will enhance the clubhouse and that members and visitors love it as much as we do.”
You will notice the new bright artwork behind the main bar in the Bill Beaumont Bar, and also up above the main bar in The Woodlands Suite. We love how the artwork incorporates our great Club and Lytham amenities. Both boards are two beautiful additions to the inside of our Club. Lytham Gin is exquisitely crafted, small batch gin and rum in Lytham’s only distillery by Sandgrown Spirits. Quote from Lytham Gin: “Lytham Gin is proud to announce its sponsorship of the bars at Fylde Rugby Club. The club holds a special place in the heart of the founders, Sara and Paul Dewhurst, as it is where their sons played rugby as children. Many a happy Sunday was spent at the club!
The Club now has a huge selection of Lytham Gin flavours continuously available from behind our bars so make sure you try some on your next visit here!
1 st XV FIXTURES & RESULTS 2022-23
NAT TWO LEAGUE (NORTH)
W/L/D
W
13-Aug-22 20-Aug-22 27-Aug-22 03-Sep-22 10-Sep-22 17-Sep-22 24-Sep-22 01-Oct-22 08-Oct-22 15-Oct-22 22-Oct-22 29-Oct-22 05-Nov-22 12-Nov-22 19-Nov-22 26-Nov-22 03-Dec-22 10-Dec-22 17-Dec-22 24-Dec-22 31-Dec-22 07-Jan-23 14-Jan-23 21-Jan-23 28-Jan-23 04-Feb-23 11-Feb-23 18-Feb-23 25-Feb-23 04-Mar-23 11-Mar-23 18-Mar-23 25-Mar-23 01-Apr-23 08-Apr-23 15-Apr-23 22-Apr-23 29-Apr-23 06-May-23
BLACKBURN (friendly)
50-29 34-14
L
Sale FC (friendly)
W W W W W W W W
CHESTER
34-29
Preston Grasshoppers
6-22 74-5
HARROGATE
Hull Ionians BLAYDON
31-34
42-7
Rotherham Titans WHARFEDALE
16-41
43-3
TYNEDALE Sedgley Park
43-10 30-20 57-14
L
W
HUDDERSFIELD
W W
Sheffield RUFC
5-24
SHEFFIELD TIGERS
20-11
- -
Otley
Postponed Postponed
PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS
Christmas New Year Harrogate
W W W W
0-52
HULL IONIANS
22-15 12-31 30-23 28-27 32-29
Blaydon
ROTHERHAM TITANS
L
Otley
W W
PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS
6-24
Wharfedale
L
23-12 19-19
Tynedale
D
SEDGLEY PARK
Huddersfield
Postponed
W W
SHEFFIELD RUFC
45-14 30-33
Sheffield Tigers
Easter OTLEY Chester
Huddersfield
28
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THEFRIDAY CLUB The Friday Club, the loyal band of volunteers who do all kind of vital jobs around the Woodlands Grounds, recently hosted the Eco Council from Ansdell Primary School (www.ansdellprimary.co.uk). One of their projects was to plant trees (saplings) and bulbs in the Ansdell area. The Friday Club’s David Kerr’s has been involved in the excellent work of the ‘Lytham in Bloom’ group. He forged a relationship with the School and this has resulted in the recent planting of eight saplings around the Woodlands grounds as well as nearly 100 bulbs.
The kids loved it, as did David!
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29
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